Rule-based tracking of products based on intelligent identifiers

ABSTRACT

A method comprising receiving radio frequency tracker identifiers stored by tags associated with items; evaluating the radio frequency tracker identifiers based on radio frequency tracker identifiers previously received or concurrently received; identifying one or more radio frequency tracker identifiers based on the evaluating; selecting a rule from a set of rules when it is determined that an event occurred with respect to the identified one or more radio frequency tracker identifiers, wherein the set of rules correlates with information included in the radio frequency tracker identifiers and the selected rule pertains to an occurrence of the event; selecting a responsive action based on the selected rule; and generating a notification defined by the selected responsive action.

BACKGROUND

Manufacturers, distributors, retailers and other business entities usetracking systems to keep track of products. For example, Radio FrequencyIdentification (RFID) tracking systems are widely used in which RFIDtags are affixed to products to permit the tracking of the products.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary environment in which anexemplary embodiment of a tracking system may be implemented;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating exemplary components of a device thatmay correspond to one or more of the devices illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating an exemplary process for generating adigital content tracker identifier;

FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating exemplary tracker information fromwhich an exemplary digital content tracker identifier may be generated;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary rules database;

FIGS. 5A-5C are diagrams illustrating exemplary processes performed bythe tracking system;

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary process forgenerating a digital content tracker identifier; and

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary process for trackingthe digital content/digital medium based on configurable rules and thedigital content tracker identifier.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings.The same reference numbers in different drawings may identify the sameor similar elements. Also, the following detailed description does notlimit the invention.

According to an exemplary embodiment, digital mediums (or devices thatinclude digital mediums) include digital content tracker identifiers(DCTIs) to allow the tracking of digital contents stored by the digitalmediums. According to an exemplary embodiment, the digital contenttracking identifier is stored by a writable tag. For example, thewritable tag may be an RFID tag. Since the digital content trackeridentifier may change over time, the RFID tag is also re-writable.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the digital content trackeridentifier may take the form of a unique string (e.g., an alphanumericseries of characters or some other symbol string). However, another formof a string (e.g., a barcode, marks, etc.) may be implemented. Unlikeother identifiers commonly used by tracking systems, the digital contenttracker identifier is an intelligent identifier. In other words, thedigital content tracker identifier has a meaning (i.e., other thansimply being a unique string) and correlates to configurable rules of atracking system. For example, digital content tracker identifier mayinclude information pertaining to the digital content, the location ofthe digital content, and other associative parameters. The digitalcontent tracker identifier is dynamic in nature since the content of thedigital content tracker identifier (e.g., in terms of letters, numbers,etc., of a string) may change over time due to the underlyinginformation included in the digital content tracker identifier havingchanged. By way of example, if the digital medium storing digitalcontent is moved from one location to another location, the digitalcontent tracker identifier of the digital medium/digital content maycorrespondingly change based on the change of the location.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a tracking system includes anevent-processing system that manages events pertaining to digitalmediums/digital contents, in real-time, based on a set of configurablerules and a correlation of the rules with the digital content trackeridentifiers. Given this interrelationship, the tracking system offersusers the flexibility to configure rules and use selective informationto generate the digital content tracker identifiers such that thedetection of events can be configured and/or tailored to the item to betracked and managed. For example, with reference to digitalmediums/digital contents, rules may be directed to detecting the stateof the digital content (e.g., active, off-line, etc.), the state of thedigital medium (e.g., formatted, un-formatted, etc.), as well as othertypes of associative parameters pertaining to the digitalmediums/digital contents. Thus, the tracking system can provide for thedetection of events that extend beyond whether the digitalmedium/digital content is located in a particular location.

Although this description discusses a tracking system pertaining todigital medium/digital content, a tracking system directed to othertypes of items, products, etc., may be implemented. Further, althoughthis description discusses the use of RFID tags, other types of tags(e.g., optical tags) may be used in other implementations. However,optical tags impose a limitation of line-of-sight.

According to an exemplary embodiment, in response to the detection of anevent(s), the event processing system generates a particular action(e.g., an alert or a notification). For example, the alert or thenotification can provide information pertaining to the event(s) to aninterested party (e.g., a person, a company, or some other entity).According to an exemplary embodiment, the tracking system includes atracking information user interface to allow the event/actioninformation, other types of information pertaining to the digitalcontents/digital mediums, etc., to be made available to interestedparties. According to an exemplary implementation, the trackinginformation user interface includes a web service and a messagingservice, which is accessible to subscribers. Additionally, the trackingsystem may include a database that stores event/action information,etc., to allow for generating reports that may be used internally ordistributed externally to interested parties.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary environment 100 in whichan exemplary embodiment of a tracking system may be implemented. Asillustrated in FIG. 1, exemplary environment 100 may include digitalmediums 105-1 through 105-X, in which X>1 (referred to collectively asdigital mediums 105, or individually as digital medium 105), digitalcontent tracker identifiers (DCTIs) 110-1 through 110-X, in which X>1(referred to collectively as digital content tracker identifiers 110, orindividually as digital content tracker identifier 110), digital contenttracker identifier readers 115-1 through 115-W, in which W>1 (referredto collectively as digital content tracker identifier readers 115, orindividually as digital content tracker identifier reader 115), acomplex event device 120, a digital content tracker identifiertranslator 125-1 through 125-V, in which V>1 (referred to collectivelyas digital content tracker identifier translators 125, or individuallyas digital content tracker identifier translator 125), a database 130, anetwork 135, a web service 140, and a message service 145.

The number of devices and configuration in environment 100 is exemplaryand provided for simplicity. According to other embodiments, environment100 may include additional devices, fewer devices, different devices,and/or differently arranged devices than those illustrated in FIG. 1.Additionally, according to other embodiments, a function or a processdescribed as being performed by two or more devices may be performed bya single device. Conversely, according to other embodiments, a functionor a process described as being performed by a single device may beperformed by two or more devices, or by a different device.

Environment 100 may use wired and/or wireless connections among thedevices illustrated. According to other implementations, thecommunicative coupling between devices may be different than thatillustrated in FIG. 1. Additionally or alternatively, environment 100may include one or more intermediary devices (not illustrated) to allowfor communication between the devices illustrated in FIG. 1.

Digital medium 105 is a tangible storing medium capable of storingdigital content (also referred to as a digital asset). For example,digital medium 105 may take the form of a compact disc (CD), a digitalversatile disk (DVD), a tape, a Blu-Ray™ disk (BD), a Universal SerialBus (USB) device, a hard disk, a memory card, a dongle, a memory, adevice (e.g., a mobile device, a server, etc.) that includes a tangiblestoring medium, etc. The digital content may include for example,multimedia content (e.g., text-based content, audio content, and videocontent). For example, the digital content may include a movie, a show,a television program, a preview, an e-book, print media, an image, aposter, a video game, a music file, a box cover, an advertisement,metadata pertaining to content, an application (e.g., software), or someother type of content capable of being stored by digital medium 105.

Digital content tracker identifier 110 may be a string that is used toidentify digital content/digital medium. According to an exemplaryimplementation, digital content tracker identifier 110 may take the formof an alphanumeric string. According to other implementations, digitalcontent tracker identifier 110 may take the form of other type ofsymbols or marks.

Digital content tracker identifier 110 is stored by a writable tag (notillustrated). According to an exemplary embodiment, the tag is an RFIDtag. According to such an embodiment, the RFID tag may be an active RFIDtag, a semi-passive RFID tag, or a passive RFID tag. According to otherembodiments, the tag may be a tag other than an RFID tag. The tags maybe affixed to digital mediums 105, devices associated with digitalmediums 105, or other suitable place.

Digital content tracker identifier reader 115 includes a device toobtain or read digital content tracker identifiers 110 from the tags.According to an exemplary embodiment, digital content tracker identifierreader 115 is an RFID reader. According to such an embodiment, the RFIDreader may be a fixed-location RFID reader (e.g., mounted on a wall, aceiling, a doorway, a rack, a cabinet, etc., or other suitable location)or a portable RFID reader (e.g., a handheld RFID reader). According toother embodiments, digital content tracker identifier reader 115 isanother type of tag reader (e.g., an optical tag reader).

Complex event device 120 includes a device that obtains digital contenttracker identifiers 110 and processes them based on a set ofconfigurable rules. The set of configurable rules provide for thedetection of an event(s) pertaining to digital mediums 105/digitalcontent and a response to the detected event(s). The set of configurablerules is described further below. According to an exemplaryimplementation, complex event device 120 may take the form of a server(e.g., an application server).

Digital content tracker identifier translator 125 includes a device thatobtains information pertaining to the digital content stored by digitalmedium 105 and translates this information to digital content trackeridentifier 110. According to an exemplary implementation, digitalcontent tracker identifier 110 includes information pertaining to thetype of digital medium 105 by which a digital content is stored, aphysical location of the digital content/digital medium 105), acontainer identifier (e.g., a run-time identifier), and a stock-keepingunit (SKU) identifier (e.g., metadata pertaining to the digital content,etc.). Digital content tracker identifier translator 125 is describedfurther below.

Database 130 stores information pertaining to the digital content storedby digital mediums 105. Database 130 may include raw data in the form ofone or more files, tables, linked lists, and/or some other datastructure, and/or processed data in the form of one or more databases.Database 130 is stored by a storage device that allows for a program orsoftware to store information to and retrieve information from thestorage device. By way of example, database 130 may store information,such as the current location of digital mediums 105/digital content,location histories, state of digital contents (e.g., available, notavailable, etc.), digital content tracker identifiers 110, underlyinginformation used for generating digital content tracker identifiers 110,client information, client order information, event/action information,etc. According to an exemplary implementation, reports may be generatedfor interested entities (e.g., a person, a company, a supply-chainsystem, etc.) based on the information stored in database 130.

Network 135 may include one or multiple networks of one or multipletypes. For example, network 135 may include the Internet, a wide areanetwork, a private network, a public network, an intranet, a local areanetwork, a packet-switched network, a wired network, a wireless network(e.g., a mobile network, a cellular network, a non-cellular network,etc.), etc. Although not illustrated, network 135 may include variousother network devices, such as, one or multiple security devices,routing devices, gateways, access points, etc.

Web service 140 includes one or more network devices that providetracking and management information pertaining to the digitalcontents/digital mediums 105. The tracking and management information ismade available to interested parties via a web service. Web service 140may receive tracking and management information from, among otherdevices, CED 120 and database 130. According to an exemplaryimplementation, web service 140 may take the form of a web server.

Message service 145 includes one or more network devices that provide amessaging service (e.g., a JAVA messaging service (JMS), etc.). Messageservice 145 may include the generation and sending of messages (e.g.,emails, short messaging service (SMS) messages, multimedia messagingservice (MMS) messages, faxes, etc.) to interested parties. For example,an interested party may opt-in to a subscription (i.e., become asubscriber) to the messaging service. Subscribers may then receiveinformation pertaining to the tracking and management of the digitalcontents/digital mediums 105. Message service 145 may receive trackingand management information from, among other devices, complex eventdevice 120 and database 130. According to an exemplary implementation,message service 145 may take the form of various types of messagingservers, etc.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating exemplary components of a device 200that may correspond to one or more of the devices illustrated in FIG. 1.For example, device 200 may correspond to components included in digitalcontent tracker identifier reader 115, complex event device 120, digitalcontent tracker identifier translator 125, web service 140, and/ormessage service 145. As illustrated, device 200 may include a processingsystem 205, memory/storage 210 including applications 215, acommunication interface 220, an input 225, and an output 230. Accordingto other implementations, device 200 may include fewer components,additional components, different components, and/or a differentarrangement of components than those illustrated in FIG. 2 and describedherein.

Processing system 205 may include one or multiple processors,microprocessors, data processors, co-processors, multi-core processors,application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), controllers,programmable logic devices, chipsets, field programmable gate arrays(FPGAs), system-on-chips (SoCs), programmable logic devices (PLSs),microcontrollers, application specific instruction-set processors(ASIPs), central processing units (CPUs), or some other component thatmay interpret and/or execute instructions and/or data. Depending on thetype of processing system 205, processing system 205 may be implementedas hardware, or a combination of hardware and software, may include amemory (e.g., memory/storage 210), etc.

Processing system 205 may control the overall operation, or a portion ofoperation(s) performed by device 200. Processing system 205 may performone or multiple operations based on an operating system and/or variousapplications (e.g., applications 215). Processing system 205 may accessinstructions from memory/storage 210, from other components of device200, and/or from a source external to device 200 (e.g., another device,a network, etc.).

Memory/storage 210 may include one or multiple memories and/or one ormultiple other types of tangible storage mediums. For example,memory/storage 210 may include one or more types of memories, such as,random access memory (RAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), cache,read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), a staticrandom access memory (SRAM), a single in-line memory module (SIMM), adual in-line memory module (DIMM), a flash memory, and/or some othertype of memory. Memory/storage 210 may include a hard disk (e.g., amagnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optic disk, a solid statedisk, etc.) or a floppy disk (e.g., a zip disk, etc.) and acorresponding drive, a tape, a Micro-Electromechanical System(MEMS)-based storage medium, and/or a nanotechnology-based storagemedium. Memory/storage 210 may be external to and/or removable fromdevice 200, such as, for example, a USB memory stick, a dongle, a harddisk, mass storage, off-line storage, or some other type of storingmedium (e.g., a computer-readable medium, a CD, a DVD, a BD, etc.).Memory/storage 210 may store data, application(s), and/or instructionsrelated to the operation of device 200.

The term “tangible-readable medium” is intended to be broadlyinterpreted to include a tangible storing medium, such as, for example,a memory, a CD, a DVD, a BD, or another type of tangible storage medium(e.g., memory/storage 210).

Applications 215 may include a program or software that provides one ormore services or functions. For example, with reference to CED 120,applications 215 may include a tracking application that uses theconfigurable rules to track and manage digital mediums 105/digitalcontent. Additionally, for example, with reference to digital contenttracking identifier translator 125, applications 215 may include adigital content tracker identifier application that generates digitalcontent tracking identifiers 110. Other devices depicted in FIG. 1(e.g., DCTI-reader 115, web service 140, message service 145) mayinclude applications to provide one or more of the services or functionsdescribed herein.

Communication interface 220 may permit device 200 to communicate withother devices, networks, systems and/or the like. Communicationinterface 220 may include one or multiple wireless interface(s) and/orwired interface(s). Communication interface 220 may include one ormultiple transmitter(s) and receiver(s), or transceiver(s).

Input 225 may permit an input into device 200. For example, input 225may include a keyboard, a keypad, a touchscreen, a touch pad, a mouse,an input port, a button, a switch, a microphone, a knob, and/or someother type of input.

Output 230 may permit device 200 to provide an output. For example,output 230 may include a display, a speaker, a light (e.g., lightemitting diode(s), etc.), an output port, a vibratory mechanism, and/orsome other type of output.

Device 200 may perform an operation(s) and/or a process(es) in responseto processing system 205 executing software instructions stored bymemory/storage 210. For example, the software instructions may be readinto memory/storage 210 from another memory/storage 210 or from anotherdevice via communication interface 220. The software instructions storedin memory/storage 210 may cause processing system 205 to performprocesses described herein. Alternatively, according to anotherimplementation, device 200 may perform processes based on the executionof hardware (e.g., processing system 205, etc.), the execution ofhardware and firmware, or the execution of hardware, software (e.g.,applications 215), and firmware.

As previously described, digital content tracker identifier translator125 obtains information pertaining to the digital content/digital medium105 and generates (e.g., translates) this information to digital contenttracker identifier 110. FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating an exemplaryprocess for generating digital content tracker identifier 110. Referringto FIG. 3A, digital content tracker identifier translator 125 obtainstracker information. For example, digital content tracker identifiertranslator 125 may receive tracker information from complex event device120 and/or database 130. Alternatively, digital content trackeridentifier translator 125 may store all or a portion of trackerinformation. Once this information is obtained, digital content trackeridentifier translator 125 may execute a program or an application (e.g.,a digital content tracker identifier application) that generates digitalcontent tracking identifier 110 and stores and/or outputs (e.g., to adatabase (e.g., database 130), other devices in the tracking system,etc.) digital content tracking identifier 110. The program or theapplication executed by digital content tracker identifier translator125 may also provide for the reverse process (e.g., to receive digitalcontent tracker identifiers 110 and translate digital content trackeridentifiers 110 back to the tracker information). According to anexemplary process, digital content tracker identifier translator 125 mayalso provide digital content tracker identifiers 110 to the appropriatedigital content tracker identifier readers 115 so that digital contenttracker identifiers 110 are written to the writable tags.

According to an exemplary embodiment, as previously described, digitalcontent tracker identifier 110 is an intelligent identifier that hasmeaning (i.e., other than a unique series of characters). For example,digital content tracker identifier 110 may provide informationpertaining to the digital content/digital medium 105 that correlates tothe configurable rules used by complex event device 120 (e.g., atracking application) to permit the tracking and managing of the digitalcontent/digital medium 105. FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating exemplarytracker information from which an exemplary digital content trackeridentifier 110 may be generated.

Referring to FIG. 3B, for purposes of description, information blocks305 through 325 are described. FIG. 3B illustrates two informationblocks 310 for ease of illustrating relationships between informationblocks. In each information block depicted, a particular identifier (ID)is generated based on one or more underlying portions of trackerinformation.

As illustrated in FIG. 3B, information block 305 includes digitalcontent tracker identifier 110 that includes or indicates a digitalmedium_type, a location_ID, a container_ID, and a SKU_ID. The digitalmedium_type pertains to the type of digital medium 105. For example, aspreviously described, digital medium 105 may take the form of a CD, aDVD, a BD, etc. The location_ID is an identifier pertaining to thelocation of the digital content/digital medium 105. As described furtherbelow with respect to information block 315, the location_ID isgenerated based on other location-based identifiers. The container_ID isan identifier (e.g., a unique parent identifier or a unique parentcontainer identifier) generated during run-time of digital contenttracker identifier application. The container_ID may change relative todifferent run-times. The SKU_ID is an identifier, such as a SKU. TheSKU_ID includes metadata pertaining to the digital content/digitalmedium 105.

According to other implementations, digital content tracker identifier110 may include additional information, different information, or fewerinformation. For example, depending on the configurable rules, theselected tracker information, the correlation, etc., digital contenttracker identifier 110 may include additional, different, or fewerinformation that correlates to the configurable rules. For example, asdescribed below, tracker information includes information pertaining tothe state of digital medium 105. Additionally, or alternatively, trackerinformation may include information pertaining to the state of thedigital content (e.g., available, off-line, discontinued, on-sale),version of the digital content (e.g., unedited version, extendedversion, recap version, first release, second release, etc.), type ofdigital content (e.g., movie, advertisement, etc.), etc. Additionally,or alternatively, digital content tracker identifier 110 may includeinformation pertaining to other types of information, such as,destination information (e.g., name, address, etc., of entity for whomthe digital content/digital medium 105 is to be transported), and/orother types of information that lends itself to the tracking andmanaging of the digital contents/digital mediums 105. In this regard,the type of tracker information and/or the information indicated bydigital content tracker identifier 110 has the potential to be expansiveor narrow depending on the needs of the users of the tracking system.Accordingly, the type of tracker information and the informationindicated by digital content tracker identifier 110, as describedherein, is not intended to be exhaustive.

Additionally, or alternatively, depending on the number of bits capableof being stored by the writable tag, digital content tracker identifier110 may include additional information, different information, or fewerinformation so as to efficiently use the available bit-space.

Information block 310 includes a digital medium_ID, which is generatedbased on a digital medium_type, a digital medium_owner; a digitalmedium_state, and a digital medium_priority. The digital medium_ID is anidentifier, such as a bar code serial number (BSN) that includes barcode data. The digital medium_type indicates the type of digital medium,as previously described. The digital medium_owner indicates the owner ofdigital medium 105/digital content (e.g. a person, a company, or someother entity). The digital medium_state indicates a state of digitalmedium 105. By way of example, assume the tracking system is implementedwithin a digital content clearinghouse that services content creatorsand retailers in which content received is formatted, packaged, anddistributed. According to such a situation, digital medium 105 may be ina locked state (e.g., when initially received by the digital contentclearinghouse), a formatted state (e.g., a blank digital medium 105 thatis ready for storing digital content), an active state (e.g., digitalmedium 105 stores digital content and is available (e.g., fordistribution/use)), an inactive state (e.g., digital medium 105 storesdigital content but is not available), etc. The digital medium_priorityindicates a level of confidentiality of the digital content (e.g., low,medium, high, etc.).

Information block 315 includes a location_ID, which is generated basedon a building_ID, a floor_ID, a rack_ID, a cabinet_ID, and a sensor_ID.The location_ID is an identifier pertaining to the location of thedigital content/digital medium 105. The building_ID is an identifier ofa particular building. The floor_ID is an identifier of a particularfloor (e.g., in the building). The rack_ID is an identifier of aparticular rack (e.g., on a particular floor). The cabinet_ID is anidentifier of a particular cabinet (e.g., of a particular rack). Thesensor_ID is an identifier of DCTI reader 115, which may be correlatedto a particular building, floor, rack, and cabinet (e.g., by DCTItranslator 125).

Depending on where and how the digital contents/digital mediums 105 arestored, the location_ID may indicate other types of location-basedinformation. By way of example, the tracker information may include ashelf_ID to indicate a particular shelf, a vehicle_ID (e.g., if thedigital content/digital medium 105 is stored in a truck, etc.), aroom_ID to indicate a particular room, etc.

Information block 320 includes the container_ID, which is generatedbased on a translation of the digital medium_ID and a container_type.The container_ID and the digital medium_ID have been previouslydescribed. For example, the container_ID is a unique identifier of thecontainer or holder of the digital content/digital medium 105 atrun-time. The container_type indicates the type of container (e.g., arack, a cabinet, etc.) pertaining to the container_ID.

Information block 325 includes the SKU_ID, which is generated based on aSKU_description. The SKU_ID is an identifier, such as a SKU, aspreviously described. The SKU_description includes metadata pertainingto the digital content. According to other implementations, theSKU_description may include metadata pertaining to other types ofinformation.

As previously described, complex event device 120 obtains digitalcontent tracker identifiers 110 and processes digital content trackeridentifiers 110 based on a set of configurable rules. The set ofconfigurable rules provide for the detection of an event(s) pertainingto digital mediums 105 and generating an appropriate response. The setof configurable rules is described further below.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary rules database 400. Asillustrated, rules database 400 may include an event field 405, anaction field 410, and a time field 415. According to otherimplementations, rules database 400 may include additional fields, fewerfields, or different fields than those illustrated and described.

Event field 405 indicates an event(s) pertaining to the digitalcontent/digital medium 105. As an example, an event may pertain to themoving of the digital content/digital medium 105, the state of thedigital content/digital medium 105, or some other associative parameter.

Action field 410 indicates a response to the detection of the occurrenceof an event indicated in event field 405. According to an exemplaryimplementation, the action may take the form of a notification, such asan alert. The event and/or the alert may be written to database 130 andavailable via web service 140 and message service 145.

Time field 415 may include information indicating a particular time(e.g., a timestamp, such as day, hour, minute, second) pertaining to theoccurrence of an event and/or the time of generating an action (e.g., anotification, etc.). Provided below is a further description ofexemplary configurable rules that may be stored in rules database 400.

For example, the configurable rules may include a rule pertaining to thetracking of duplicates or false positives. For example, the event mayoccur when multiple digital content tracker identifier readers 115 readthe same digital content tracker identifier 110 at the same time. Theaction may include generating an alert indicating a duplication issue.In this regard, the rule may be considered a time-based rule. As anexample of the correlation between the rule and digital content trackeridentifier 110, the time information included in time field 415 and thelocation_ID in digital content tracker identifier 110 provides a basisfor detecting the event, and subsequently generating a response.

According to another example, the configurable rules may include rulespertaining to the tracking of sensitive digital content. For example,one event may occur when digital medium 105 storing highly confidentialinformation is moved. The action may include generating an alertindicating digital medium 105 is lost. Another event may occur whendigital medium 105 storing highly confidential information is found(e.g., arriving at a new location). The action may include generating analert indicating to investigate. In response to the alert, as anexample, an administrator may investigate into the reasons for movingdigital medium 105 that stores the confidential information, etc. Yetanother event may occur when the time period between the lost status andthe found status is beyond a permissible time window. The action mayinclude generating an alert indicating delay. In response to the alert,an administrator may determine various parameters. For example, theadministrator may determine whether impermissible copying could havetaken place given the delay or determine whether there exists anyinefficiencies with respect to the transport, etc.

Additionally, for example, the configurable rules may include rulespertaining to the tracking of digital mediums when moved (e.g., anaction-based rule). For example, one event may occur when digital medium105 is moved from one location to another location (e.g., from a cabinetto a server). The action may include generating an alert indicating thatthe digital content is online or available. Conversely, another eventmay occur when digital medium 105 is moved from one location to anotherlocation (e.g., from a server to a rack). The action may includegenerating an alert indicating that the digital content is offline ornot available. Yet another event may occur when digital medium 105 ismoved from its current location and the action may include an alertindicating digital medium 105 is lost or in transport. Still anotherevent may occur when digital medium 105 is in a new location and theaction may include generating an alert indicating digital medium 105 isfound or recovered.

Additionally, the configurable rules may include rules pertaining to themovement of a digital medium 105 from one container to anothercontainer. For example, one event may occur when digital medium 105 ismoved from a container (e.g., when container_ID associated with digitalmedium 105 changes (e.g., based on container_type)). As an example, thismay occur when digital medium 105 is moved from its current location.The action may include generating an alert indicating digital medium 105is lost or in transport. Another event may occur when digital medium 105is moved to a container (e.g., when container_ID associated with digitalmedium 105 changes (e.g., based on container_type)). As an example, thismay occur when digital medium 105 is at its new location. The action mayinclude generating an alert indicating digital medium 105 is found orrecovered.

As previously described, the tracking system includes anevent-processing system (e.g., complex event device 120) that managesevents pertaining to digital content, in real-time, based on theconfigurable rules and the digital content tracker identifiers 110.FIGS. 5A-5C are diagrams illustrating exemplary processes performed bythe tracking system.

Referring to FIG. 5A, assume that digital medium 105 is at a location 1and a writable tag stores a particular digital content trackeridentifier 110. Digital content tracker identifier reader 115-1 receivesdigital content tracker identifier 110 and provides digital contenttracker identifier 110 to complex event device 120. Since between twoinstances in time no change occurred (e.g., from this reading relativeto a previous reading), digital content tracker identifier 110 remainsas a static identifier.

Subsequent thereto, assume that digital medium 105 and digital contenttracker identifier 110 is moved to a new location (e.g., location 2). Inbetween the time digital medium 105 and digital content trackeridentifier 110 is placed at location 2, digital content trackeridentifier reader 115-1 performs a read and reports the read to complexevent device 120. However, in this instance, complex event device 120identifies that the read does not include digital content trackeridentifier 110 of digital medium 105 (e.g., based on a comparison with aprevious reading). At such time, complex event device 120 processes theconfigurable rules, in view of the read information. For example,complex event device 120 applies the rule pertaining to when digitalmediums 105 move from their current locations.

Referring to FIG. 5B, based on this particular rule, complex eventdevice 120 generates an action (e.g., an alert indicating that digitalmedium 105 is lost, is in transit, or some other type of informativealert). Subsequent thereto, assume that digital medium 105 reacheslocation 2. Digital content tracker identifier reader 115-2 performs aread and reports the read to complex event device 120. Complex eventdevice 120 recognizes that digital medium 105 has reached a new location(i.e., location 2) since the read information includes digital contenttracker identifier 110 of digital medium 105 and is from DCTI reader115-2. As such time, complex event device 120 processes the configurablerules, in view of the read information and recognizes that digitalmedium 105 is at location 2. For example, complex event device 120applies the rule pertaining to when digital mediums 105 are moved to anew location. Based on this particular rule, complex event device 120generates an action (e.g., an alert indicating that digital medium isrecovered, is in a new location, or some other type of informativealert).

Additionally, as illustrated in FIG. 5C, complex event device 120provides digital content tracker identifier translator 125 with readinformation (e.g., digital content tracker identifier 110) and/or othertracker information. Digital content tracker identifier translator 125translates the appropriate information to generate a new digital contenttracker identifier 110. The new digital content tracker identifier 110is sent to digital content tracker identifier reader 115-2 and iswritten to the writable tag of digital medium 105.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary process 600 forgenerating digital content tracker identifier 110. According to anexemplary embodiment, process 600 is performed by digital contenttracker identifier translator 125. According to an exemplaryimplementation, digital content tracker identifier translator 125includes a processing system 205 that executes a digital content trackeridentifier application.

In block 605, digital content tracker identifier translator 125 receivestracker information that correlates to tracking rules. For example, aspreviously described with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B, as well aselsewhere in this description, tracker information includes informationpertaining to digital content and digital medium 105. Additionally, aspreviously explained, the tracker information may pertain to other typesof associative parameters.

In block 610, digital content tracker identifier translator 125generates an intelligent tracking identifier based on the trackerinformation. For example, as previously described, digital contenttracker identifier translator 125 translates the tracker informationinto digital content tracker identifier 110. Digital content trackeridentifier 110, as discussed, may be a unique string that has meaningand correlates to the configurable rules.

In block 615, digital content tracker identifier translator 125 writesthe intelligent digital content tracker identifier 110 to a writable tag(e.g., an RFID tag) associated with a digital medium 105 or a deviceincluding a digital medium 105. For example, the digital content trackeridentifier 110 may be sent to digital content tracker identifier reader115. Digital content tracker identifier reader 115 may write digitalcontent tracker identifier 110 to the writable tag.

Although FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary process 600, according to otherimplementations, process 600 may include additional operations, feweroperations, or different operations than those illustrated anddescribed.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary process 700 fortracking the digital content/digital medium 105 based on theconfigurable rules and the digital content tracker identifier 110.According to an exemplary embodiment, process 700 is performed bycomplex event device 120. According to an exemplary implementation,complex event device 120 includes a processing system 205 that executesa tracker application.

In block 705, complex event device 120 receives a reading of digitalcontent tracker identifiers 110 from one or multiple digital contenttracker identifier readers 115. For example, digital content trackeridentifier reader(s) 115 may conduct a reading periodically, andtransmit the readings to complex event device 120.

In block 710, complex event device 120 evaluates the reading of thedigital content tracker identifiers 110. For example, according to anexemplary implementation, complex event device 120 may perform acomparison between digital content tracker identifiers 110 obtained froma previous reading of digital content tracker identifier reader 115 tothe current reading or perform a comparison between digital contenttracker identifiers 110 received from multiple digital content trackeridentifier readers 115. Based on the comparison, complex event device120 may determine whether an event occurred (block 715). For example,complex event device 120 may use the configurable rules to determinewhether an event occurred. As an example, based on the configurablerules the reading(s), the comparison, and digital content trackeridentifiers 110, complex event device 120 may identify whether one ormore digital content(s)/digital medium(s) 105 moved, changed state,whether security measures may have been broken, etc.

For example, in block 715-NO, if complex event device 120 determinesthat an event has not occurred, complex event device 120 may wait toreceive the next reading (block 705). However, if complex event device120 determines that an event has occurred (block 715-YES), complex eventdevice 120 selects a responsive action corresponding to the event (block720).

In block 725, complex event device 120 generates a notification based onthe selected responsive action. For example, an alert is generated thatmay or may not require human intervention. In block 730, complex eventdevice 120 reports the event and the responsive action to a trackinginformation user interface. For example, complex event device 120 storesthis information in database 130 and sends this information to webservice 140 and message service 145. Web service 140 may make thisinformation available to those that access web service 140 (e.g., via alog-in). Additionally, or alternatively, message service 145 maygenerate and transmit various types of messages (e.g., e-mail, SMS, MMS,etc.), based on the information received from complex event device 120,to subscribers so that real-time information is disbursed to interestedparties. Administrators may also access complex event device 120 and/ordatabase 130 (e.g., remotely, on-site, etc.) to obtain this information.This information may also be posted on a messaging queue forasynchronous retrieval.

Although FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary process 700, according to otherimplementations, process 700 may include additional operations, feweroperations, or different operations than those illustrated anddescribed.

The foregoing description of implementations provides illustration, butis not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the implementations to theprecise form disclosed. Accordingly, modifications to theimplementations described herein may be possible. By way of example,although this description includes an exemplary embodiment pertaining tothe tracking and managing of digital mediums 105 and digital content,the tracking system described may be used to track and manage othertypes of products, items, etc. For example, the tracking system may beused to track supply chain system products, food, staple items, etc.

Additionally, the configurable rules and tracking identifiers 110 may bemodified in view of the type of item or product being tracked. As anexample, environmental sensors (e.g., light sensors, temperaturesensors, magnetic sensors, etc.), and/or other types of sensors, such asmovement sensors (e.g., when a product is sensitive to vibration, etc.),which may be considered an associative property or manageablecharacteristic of the item or product, may be incorporated to facilitatethe tracking and management of an item or product. According to such anexemplary embodiment, one or more of these types of sensors may beprocessed by complex event device 120 in conjunction with the tagreaders. Rules database 400 may include configurable rules thatincorporate events and actions pertaining to these parameters. As anexample, an event may be considered to have occurred when thetemperature of a room increases above a certain threshold.Alternatively, a joint event may be considered to have occurred when theitem is recovered (e.g., in a new location) and the new locationprovides too much exposure to the item to light.

The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to be interpreted to includeone or more items. Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to beinterpreted as “based, at least in part, on,” unless explicitly statedotherwise. The term “and/or” is intended to be interpreted to includeany and all combinations of one or more of the associated items.

In addition, while series of blocks are described with regard to theprocesses illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the order of the blocks may bemodified in other implementations. Further, non-dependent blocks may beperformed in parallel. Additionally, with respect to other processesdescribed in this description, the order of operations may be differentaccording to other implementations, and/or operations may be performedin parallel.

The embodiments described herein may be implemented in many differentforms of software and/or firmware executed by hardware. For example, aprocess or a function may be implemented as “logic” or as a “component.”The logic or the component may include, for example, hardware (e.g.,processing system 205, etc.), a combination of hardware and software(e.g., applications 215), a combination of hardware and firmware, or acombination of hardware, software, and firmware. The implementation ofsoftware or firmware has been described without reference to thespecific software code since software can be designed to implement theembodiments based on the description herein. Additionally, acomputer-readable medium may store instructions (e.g., in the form ofsoftware or a program), which when executed, may perform processesand/or functions pertaining to the exemplary embodiments describedherein.

In the specification, various embodiments have been described withreference to the accompanying drawings. It will, however, be evidentthat various modifications and changes may be made thereto, andadditional embodiments may be implemented, without departing from thebroader scope of the invention as set forth in the claims that follow.The specification and drawings are accordingly to be regarded asillustrative rather than restrictive.

In the specification and illustrated by the drawings, reference is madeto “an exemplary embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “embodiments,” etc.,which may include a particular feature, structure or characteristic inconnection with an embodiment(s). However, the use of the phrase or term“an embodiment,” “embodiments,” etc., in various places in thespecification does not necessarily refer to all embodiments described,nor does it necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor are separateor alternative embodiments necessarily mutually exclusive of otherembodiment(s). The same applies to the term “implementation,”“implementations,” etc.

No element, act, operation, or instruction described in the presentapplication should be construed as critical or essential to theembodiments described herein unless explicitly described as such.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: receiving radio frequencytracker identifiers stored by tags associated with items, wherein eachradio frequency tracker identifier is a single, unique identifier thatincludes information pertaining to a type of item, a location of item, astate of item, a container of item, and a stock keeping unit of item;evaluating the radio frequency tracker identifiers based on radiofrequency tracker identifiers previously received or concurrentlyreceived; identifying one or more radio frequency tracker identifiersbased on the evaluating; selecting a rule from a set of rules when it isdetermined that an event occurred with respect to the identified one ormore radio frequency tracker identifiers, wherein the set of rulescorrelates with information included in the radio frequency trackeridentifiers and the selected rule pertains to an occurrence of theevent, wherein the event includes when a state of a digital contentchanges or when a version of a digital content changes, and wherein achange of state of the digital content includes a transition from afirst state to a second state, wherein the first state and the secondstate include two of available, off-line, discontinued, or on-sale, andwherein a change of version of the digital content includes a transitionfrom a first version to a second version, wherein the first version andthe second version include two of an unedited version, an extendedversion, a recap version, a first release, or a second release;selecting a responsive action based on the selected rule; and generatinga notification defined by the selected responsive action.
 2. The methodof claim 1, wherein the items include digital mediums each storingdigital content, and wherein the event includes one of when one of thedigital mediums is moved from a previous location, or when one of thedigital mediums is in a new location, and wherein the stock keeping unitincludes metadata pertaining to the digital content.
 3. The method ofclaim 2, further comprising: generating each of the radio frequencytracker identifiers based on information indicating a type of digitalmedium, a location of digital medium, and a stock keeping unitidentifier that includes metadata pertaining to digital content storedby the digital medium; and writing the radio frequency trackeridentifiers to the tags.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein theevaluating comprises: comparing the received radio frequency trackeridentifiers with the previously received radio frequency trackeridentifiers; and identifying a new presence or an absence of the one ormore radio frequency tracker identifiers based on the comparing, and themethod further comprising: providing the notification via a web serviceor a messaging service.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the items aredigital content and the state of item indicates one of available,off-line, discontinued, or on-sale.
 6. The method of claim 1, whereinthe items are digital mediums and the state of item indicates one ofthat a digital medium is in a formatted state, an unformatted state, anactive state in which the digital medium stores digital content and isavailable to customers, or an inactive state in which the digital mediumstores digital content and is not available to customers.
 7. The methodof claim 1, further comprising: determining whether the event occurredwith respect to the one or more of the radio frequency trackeridentifiers; generating one or more new radio frequency trackeridentifiers for one or more tags associated with the one or more radiofrequency tracker identifiers to which the event pertains, in responseto determining that the event occurred with respect to the one or moreof the radio frequency tracker identifiers; and writing the one or morenew radio frequency tracker identifiers to the one or more tags.
 8. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the radio frequency tracker identifiers aredynamic based on a change of the information included in each radiofrequency tracker identifier, and wherein each radio frequency trackeridentifier uniquely identifies at least a tag or an item associated withthe tag.
 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving, from asensor, environmental information pertaining to an environment withinwhich one or more tags associated with the identified one or more radiofrequency tracker identifiers reside, wherein selecting the rule furthercomprises: selecting the rule from the set of rules when it isdetermined that the event occurred with respect to the identified one ormore radio frequency tracker identifiers, wherein the set of rulescorrelates with the information included in the radio frequency trackeridentifiers and environmental information; and wherein selecting theresponsive action further comprises: selecting the responsive actionbased on the selected rule.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the tagsinclude at least one of active radio frequency identification tags,semi-passive radio frequency identification tags or passive radiofrequency identification tags.
 11. A device comprising: one or morememories, wherein the one or more memories store instructions; and oneor more processing systems, wherein the one or more processing systemsexecute the instructions that configure the one or more processingsystems to: receive radio frequency tracker identifiers stored by tagsassociated with items, wherein each radio frequency tracker identifieris a single, unique identifier that includes information pertaining to atype of item, a location of item, a state of item, a container of item,and a stock keeping unit of item; evaluate the radio frequency trackeridentifiers based on radio frequency tracker identifiers previouslyreceived or concurrently received; identify one or more radio frequencytracker identifiers based on an evaluation of the radio frequencytracker identifiers; select a rule from a set of rules when it isdetermined that an event occurred with respect to the identified one ormore radio frequency tracker identifiers, wherein the set of rulescorrelates with information included in the radio frequency trackeridentifiers and the selected rule pertains to an occurrence of theevent, wherein the event includes when a state of a digital contentchanges or when a version of a digital content changes, and wherein achange of state of the digital content includes a transition from afirst state to a second state, wherein the first state and the secondstate include two of available, off-line, discontinued, or on-sale, andwherein a change of version of the digital content includes a transitionfrom a first version to a second version, wherein the first version andthe second version include two of an unedited version, an extendedversion, a recap version, a first release, or a second release; select aresponsive action based on the selected rule; and generate anotification defined by the selected responsive action.
 12. The deviceof claim 11, wherein the items comprise digital mediums each storingdigital content, and wherein the event includes when a digital contentis confidential and moved from a previous location or when a digitalcontent is confidential and is in a new location, and wherein thenotification indicates that a digital content is one of lost, recovered,in transport, on-line, or off-line.
 13. The device of claim 12, whereinwhen evaluating, the one or more processing systems are furtherconfigured to: compare the received radio frequency tracker identifierswith the concurrently received radio frequency tracker identifiers; andidentify a duplication of the one or more radio frequency trackeridentifiers based on a comparison.
 14. The device of claim 11, wherein,when the items are digital mediums, the state of item indicates one ofthat a digital medium is in a formatted state, an unformatted state, anactive state in which the digital medium stores digital content and isavailable to customers, or an inactive state in which the digital mediumstores digital content and is not available to customers, and when theitems are digital content and the state of item indicates one ofavailable, off-line, discontinued, or on-sale.
 15. The device of claim11, wherein the tags include at least one of active radio frequencyidentification tags, semi-passive radio frequency identification tags orpassive radio frequency identification tags.
 16. A device comprising:one or more memories, wherein the one or more memories storeinstructions; and one or more processing systems, wherein the one ormore processing systems execute the instructions that configure the oneor more processing systems to: receive tracker information pertaining todigital mediums that each store a digital content, wherein the trackerinformation includes a digital medium identifier, a location identifier,a state parameter, a container identifier, and a stock keeping unitidentifier that includes metadata pertaining to the digital content;generate tracking identifiers based on the tracker information whereineach tracking identifier is a single, unique identifier that includesinformation pertaining to a type of digital medium, a state of digitalmedium, a location of digital medium, a container of digital medium, astock keeping unit of digital medium, and event data wherein the eventdata includes when a state of a digital content changes or when aversion of a digital content changes, and wherein a change of state ofthe digital content includes a transition from a first state to a secondstate, wherein the first state and the second state include two ofavailable, off-line, discontinued, or on-sale, and wherein a change ofversion of the digital content includes a transition from a firstversion to a second version, wherein the first version and the secondversion include two of an unedited version, an extended version, a recapversion, a first release, or a second release; and write the trackingidentifiers to writable radio frequency tags associated with the digitalmediums.
 17. The device of claim 16, wherein the one or more processingsystems further execute the instructions that configure the one or moreprocessing systems to: generate the location of digital medium based ona building identifier, a floor identifier, a rack identifier, a cabinetidentifier, and a sensor identifier, and wherein the type of digitalmedium is generated based on a digital medium type, a digital mediumowner, a digital medium state, and a digital medium priority.
 18. Thedevice of claim 16, wherein the one or more processing systems furtherexecute the instructions that configure the one or more processingsystems to: generate the container identifier based on a container type,a digital medium type, a digital medium owner, a digital medium state,and a digital medium priority.
 19. A non-transitory, computer-readablemedium storing instructions executable by a processor of a computationaldevice, which when executed cause the computational device to: receiveradio frequency tracker identifiers stored by tags associated withitems, wherein each radio frequency tracker identifier is a single,unique identifier that includes information pertaining to a type ofitem, a location of item, a state of item, a container of item, and astock keeping unit of item; evaluate the radio frequency trackeridentifiers based on radio frequency tracker identifiers previouslyreceived or concurrently received; identify one or more radio frequencytracker identifiers based on an evaluation; select a rule from a set ofrules in response to a determination that an event occurred with respectto the identified one or more radio frequency tracker identifiers,wherein the set of rules correlates with information included in theradio frequency tracker identifiers and the selected rule pertains to anoccurrence of the event, wherein the event includes when a state of adigital content changes or when a version of a digital content changes,and wherein a change of state of the digital content includes atransition from a first state to a second state, wherein the first stateand the second state include two of available, off-line, discontinued,or on-sale, and wherein a change of version of the digital contentincludes a transition from a first version to a second version, whereinthe first version and the second version include two of an uneditedversion, an extended version, a recap version, a first release, or asecond release; select a responsive action based on the selected rule;and generate a notification defined by the selected responsive action.20. The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 19, whereinthe items include digital mediums storing digital content, wherein, whenthe items are digital mediums, the state of item indicates one ofwhether a digital medium is formatted state or whether the digitalmedium is available to customers.
 21. The non-transitory,computer-readable medium of claim 19 further storing instructionsexecutable by the processor of the computational device, which whenexecuted cause the computational device to: provide the notification viaa web service or a messaging service.
 22. The non-transitory,computer-readable medium of claim 19, wherein the instruction toevaluate further comprise instructions to: compare the received radiofrequency tracker identifiers with the previously received radiofrequency tracker identifiers; and wherein the instructions to identifycomprise further instructions to: identify a new presence or an absenceof the one or more radio frequency tracker identifiers based on acomparison, and wherein the instructions further comprise instructionsto: provide the notification via a web service or a messaging service.